Package opener



FIG.2

FIG. 1

40 DACRON E. A. `YERMAKOFF ETAL.

PACKAGE OPENER Filed Jan. 8, 1960 United States Patent O 3,061,160 PACKAGE PENER Edward Alexander Yermalrotf, North Bergen, NJ., and Charles Conrad Elsesser, latonah, and Edward Patton Lee, White Plains, NX., assignors to General Foods Corporation, White Plains, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed lan. S, 1960, Ser. No. 1,348 4 Claims. (Cl. 229-51) This invention relates to a novel package and to a method of making the same. More specifically, it relates to a package containing an easy opening device.

As is well-known to those skilled-in-the-art, a wide variety of materials has been packaged in envelopes. It has become particularly common to use envelopes or pouches to package particulate materials typified by desserts, confections, candies, or beverage powders. Although many advantages have heretofore been obtained by use of such envelopes, there have been numerous problems which have not been completely resolved. Among these may be noted the problems of mechanical strength, package integrity, elimination of pinholes in the walls, proper sealing of edges, shelf life and general handleability, ease and economy of manufacture, ease of opening, etc.

Many of these individual problems may have been solved in specific cases, but there is no single package which is particularly characterized by economy of manufacture, ease of opening, ease of pouring, and high degree of protection of the contents. When envelopes had been used for soluble coffees, it was found in particular that it was not possible to produce an envelope which was both easy to open and capable of serving as an efficient moisture barrier. Since soluble coffees are hygroscopic and readily cake in the presence of moisture, these envelopes were not particularly suitable for this use. Y

It is an object of this invention to provide a novel envelope and method of making the same. `Other objects will be apparent to those skilled-in-the-art on inspection of the following description.

In accordance with certain of its aspects, the novel package of this invention may comprise opposed side pieces joined together at their outer edges to form an envelope having a material discharge portion, each of said side pieces including a moisture barrier layer, an inner sealing medium layer on at least one of said side pieces along at least a portion of said material discharge portion of said envelope, and as a tear strip a plurality of untwisted filaments extending from one extremity to the other of said material discharge portion and being firmly secured in said inner sealing medium at each terminus of said tear strip.

According to certain of its more specific aspects, the envelope of this invention may be formed from a sheet of material which includes a moisture barrier and a sealing medium.

It is preferred'to form the moisture barrier of a combination of thin sheet of plastic with a thin sheet of metallic foil. Typically the foil will be aluminum foil of thickness of 0.00035 to 0.0010, say 0.00035 inch. Commonly the moisture barrier may also include a thin sheet of plastic, most preferably polyethylene, and the foil Will preferably be bonded to the plastic. Preferably the total thickness of the moisture barrier will be from 0.0006 inch to 0.0075 inch, most preferably 0.00085 inch. Use of the noted moisture barrier in combination with the other elements herein noted also assists in retention within the package of volatile flavors or aromaas in the case of an aromatized soluble coffee.

When the moisture barrier is formed of a plastic layer and a metallic foil, preferably the latter will (when the 3,061,169 Patented Oct. 30, 1962 ice ' sheet is formed into an envelope as hereinafter described) be on the inner side of the envelope.

The inner surface of the sheet of material preferably bears a thin layer of a sealing medium which, under the conditions of closure hereinafter defined, may be sealed by application of heat or pressure or both. This inner layer of sealing medium may be polyethylene, vinyl or nitrocellulose. Commonly it will be vinyl. The thickness of the sealing layer may be .0005 to .0015, say .001 inch. Although it may be possible to dispose the sealing medium only along the areas where sealing is to be effected, it is preferred to completely cover the inner surface with sealing medium. This minimizes the possibility of an unsealed edge and furthermore, with a moisture barrier sealing medium such as polyethylene, it may permit attainment of an additional layer of protection.

lf desired, an additional outer overwrap may be provided to serve as a base for decorative adornment of printing. Commonly this may be paper having a thickness of 0.001 to 0.003 inch, say 0.0025 inch.

In the preferred embodiment the envelope will be formed of a rectangular blank of sheeting which is folded together along a line parallel to one edge, preferably a shorter edge, so that, e.g. the shorter edges (and simultaneously corresponding folded halves of the longer edges) are superposed. These superposed edges may be sealed together as by heat and pressure to form a closed envelope.

It is a particular feature of this invention that the envelope contain, preferably at the folded edge rather than at a sealed edge, a plurality of untwisted preferably plastic monofilaments extending from one extremity toy the other of said edge and forming a tear-strip tape therein. This edge will include the material discharge portion of the envelope and preferably the material discharge portion will be coextensive with this edge. The filaments of the tear-strip will preferably be non-wicking, strong, and heat resistant with respect to the heat needed to seal the envelope. The preferred material of which the tear strip may be fabricated may be Daeron.

The preferred tear strip tape will be characterized by a low denier (i.e. the Weight in grams per 9000 meters) commonly 60-1000 preferably 130-220; by presence Vof a small number of filaments, commonly 20-40, and preferably 25-30; and by substantial freedom from twist, measured as the number of twists per inch, this value being zero. A typical tape which may be employed might thus be designated 220/28/0.

Because of the composition of the tape and particularly its untwisted character, the tape either is or assumes a flat configuration when it is sealed into place (Le. the filaments become substantially coplanar); this permits formation of the seal with minimum possibility of leakage. Maximum security sealing with minimum leakage is obtained when the threads or monolaments are parallel andV uncrossed at the sealed ends; and preferably there will be no overlapping ortwisting of monoiilaments anywhere along the strip.

LThe tear strip will lbe embedded in the sealing medium preferably at its termini, which termini Will be sealed in each of two sealed edges. if desired, the tear strip may be embedded in and sealed in the sealing medium Aalong the entire llength of the tear strip and the folded edge may be further sealed as by application of heat and pressure. Thus, in the preferred embodiment, the tear strip will rbe 4anchored in place 'by the sealing yaction of the sealing medium on the strip termini. lIt is `a feature of this invention that because of particular configuration -of the tear strip, its thinness, and general arrangement, it is The package of this invention may be formed from a sheet which in the preferred embodiment has a moisture barrier layer including `a layer of plastic and a layer f metal foil. On the outer side, adjacent to the plastic, may be a layer of paper-overwrap containing ka. desired design; Iand the inner side may bear a layer `of sealing medium. A roll of this sheet may be `continuously fed to a folding mechanism which folds the sheet so that portions of the inner sides bearing the sealing medium may be brought face-to-face with each other.

The tear strip tape, commonly a continuous filament Daeron yarn such yas a 60-1000/20-40/0 yarn may be passed from a roll into the lower portion of the folded sheet and positioned to lie generally parallel to and immediately adjacent to the lower folded edge `of the folded sheet, the fiat tape lying Igenerally in a plane parallel to the opposed faces of the folded sheet. Dacron is a synthetic polyester made from methyl terephthalate and ethylene glycol.

The `folded sheet containing the tape may be passed between sealing devices positioned generally transverse to the di-rection of movement of the sheet; here portions of the sheet are subjected to appropriate heat `and pressure to seal thin strips lalong lines which will define the sides of the package. Simultaneously with forming the sides, the termini yof the tear strip tape are sealed into rand firmly anchored in the edges. Preferably the edge in which the termini 4are to be sealed may be deformed at the point at which the termini are positioned. Because of the particular configuration and small thickness of the tape, this seal may be easily made.

Subsequent operations may include slitting the so-folded sheet into mono-envelopes or into an Iassembly containing several envelopes, lling the envelopes with desired material, and sealing the open tops of the envelopes by application of heat :and pressure. These operations, `or some of them, may be performed under inert gases such las nitrogen or car-bon dioxide.

A specific embodiment of this invention is shown in the attached drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 shows an elevation of lan unseparated pair of the envelopes produced by one embodiment of this invention;

FIGURE 2 shows a cross-section view taken through the tear tape 29 in the lower portion of the envelope along line 2 2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 shows the tear tape of this invention after it has been removed from the package; and

FIGURE 4 schematically shows one embodiment of the process of forming the package of this invention.

In the specific embodiment `as shown in the drawing and with particular reference to FIGURE 4, represents a roll of sheeting which in this embodiment includes (see FIGURE 2) a layer of paper which is 0.0025 inch thick (and which weighs about 34 pounds per 3000 square feet including printing); a layer of polyethylene which is 0.0007 inch thick (and which weighs about 10 pounds per 3000 square feet); Ia layer of aluminum foil which is 0.0005 inch thick (and weighs about pounds per 3000 square feet); and a layer of vinyl which is 0.00010 inch thick (and weighs about 4 or 4.5 pounds per 3000 square feet).

This roll of sheeting may lbe unrolled to form a flat strip 11 which may be passed over folding plough 12.. Here the sheet is folded over on itself so that the vinyl sheetings on opposed faces are adjacent to each other. The folded sheet 13 may be advanced by guide roller 14. Preferably at a point subsequent to guide roller 14, the tear tape 15 may be fed to the system. In the preferred embodiment this may be a continuous filament of Daeron yarn, identified as 200/28/0 (i.e. 220 denier, 28 filaments, and no twist).

Guide means, not shown, may be used to position the tear tape iadjacent to the folded bottom edge 16 and generally parallel thereto. As the tape and sheet advance,

side Sealers 17 may apply heat and pressure to the sheet thus sealing together spaced portions of the sheet, partially forming Ian envelope, and sealing the tear strip tape iat the sealed points. The partially `formed envelope may then be advanced to a tape `anchoring operation at which the portions of the tape which will be the termini are securely anchored. This preferably includes contact with an embossing Ior serrating unit 18, which presses against the sheet with sufficient strength to deform the metal foil iayer whereby the metal and the tape become more securely locked together. This permits the end pieces to remain securely affixed to the tape when the tape is pulled to open the package.

The envelope may also be slit simultaneously at operation 18 to provide the slits 33 shown in FIGURE l, which permit easy starting of the tearing operation.

The sheet may be advanced by friction drive roll 19 and subsequently cut at 20 preferably into pairs of envelopes for convenience in filling. Each pair of envelopes 21 will be moved along by clips 22 to an envelope `opening station which may include envelope-opening-fingers 23, and if desired a source 24 of an inertizing atmosphere, e.g. nitrogen. The `opened envelopes may be advanced to filling stations 35 and 36 at each of which material may be admitted to the envelope from hoppers 25 and at each of which desired controlled atmosphere, e.g. nitrogen, may be provided.

The filled packages may be closed by heat and pressure sealing at 2'7 `and subsequently collected. If desired, the pairs of envelopes may be cut into single envelopes.

A typical envelope which may be produced in accordance with this invention is disclosed in FIGURE l, which specifically shows an unseparated pair of envelopes 21. As there shown each envelope includes a folded edge 23 inside `of which is a tear tape 29 which is secured `at its termini in the sealed area 30 of sealed edges 31 of envelope 32. As shown each of edges 30 includes a slit 33 starting in the edge 31, generally directed toward folded edge 23, and terminating short thereof. The envelope also bears sealed edge 34.

FIGURE 2 generally discloses a cross-section of the sealed end of the tear strip. As there shown, the tear strip includes a plurality `of untwisted filaments 40 lying generally fiat. On either side of the tear strip is a layer 41 of vinyl sealing medium which rigidly secures the strip terminus 40 in place. It will be noted that the strip is only secured at its ends. The vinyl sealing medium is adjacent to the moisture barrier which in this embodiment includes a layer of aluminum foil 42 and a layer of plastic, polyethylene 43.

The outer layer of paper 44 may bear appropriate marking. In this embodiment, the entire assembly will be subjected to embossing, serration, or deforming, schematically shown at 4S, to securely retain the tear strip termini in place.

The assembled package may be readily opened by grasping the section of the envelope which overlies the end of the tear tape, tearing that portion of the envelope so that the slit 33 is extended until it meets the tape itself, and continuing to pull on the tape in the same general direction.

FIGURE 3 discloses a typical tape which has been removed from the envelope. It includes generally triangular end pieces which were formed by the tear following along slit 33 and separating out portions of the immediately adjacent corner. rl`he tape itself includes a plurality of filaments 40 more-or-less parallel to each other, substantially untwisted, and generally lying in a single plane.

It will be apparent to those skilled-in-the-art that numerous changes and modifications may be made, and that the invention is not to be construed as limited to the specific example herein disclosed in detail.

What is claimed is:

1. A package enclosing a quantity of a product requiring gas and moisture protection comprising a gas and moisture impermeable sealed envelope containing the packaged material therein, said envelope including opposed side pieces of a gas and moisture impermeable material joined together at their outer edges, the packaged material being contained in the space between said side pieces and said joined outer edges, at least one pair of opposed outer edges of said envelope including an inner sealing medium layer on one of said side pieces, and as a tear strip a plurality of untwisted substantially coplanar contiguous filaments firmly secured adjacent their ends between said side pieces by said inner sealing medium, said ilaments extending across said space and being free of connection to the envelope intermediate said secured portions.

2. A package enclosing a quantity of a product requiring gas and moisture protection comprising a gas and moisture impermeable envelope including a single sheet of gas and moisture impervious material folded in half, the opposed side pieces produced by said folding being joined together at one outer edge by the fold line and being secured together in sealed relation along the other outer edges by an inner sealing medium layer on one of said side pieces, the packaged material being contained in the space between said side pieces and said outer edges, the ends of the folded edge being secured together by said sealing medium layer, and as a tear strip a plurality of untwisted substantially coplanar contiguous iilarnents extending across said space adjacent said `folded edge, the terminal portions of said filaments being firmly secured in the opposed outer edges adjacent said folded edge, said iilaments being free of connection to the envelope intermediate said secured terminal portions.

3. A package for soluble coffee containing iiavor and aroma volatiles comprising a single sheet of material folded in half to form opposed side pieces joined together at one outer edge by the fold line, said sheet including an aluminum foil layer having a thickness of 0.00035 to 0.0010 inch and an outer surface layer of polyethylene plastic the side pieces being secured together along the other outer edges by an inner sealing medium layer on said side pieces to form a gas and moisture impermeable sealed envelope having the soluble coffee contained in the space between said side pieces and said joined outer edges, the ends of the folded edge being secured together by said sealing medium layer, and as a tear strip a plurality of untwisted substantially coplanar contiguous iilaments extending across said space adjacent said folded edge, the terminal portions `o said filaments being secured in the opposed outer edges adjacent said folded edge by said inner sealing medium, said filaments being free of connection to the envelope intermediate said secured terminal portions.

4. A package comprising a gas and moisture impermeable sealed envelope and a quantity of packaged material disposed therewithin, said envelope being formed from a sheet of gas and moisture impermeable packaging material folded in half, the opposed side pieces produced by the fold being joined together at one outer edge by the fold line and being secured in sealed relation to each other along the other outer edges by an inner sealing medium, said packaged material being contained in the space between said side pieces and said outer edges, said packaging material comprising a moisture barrier includ ing a sheet of metal foil and a sheet of moisture-resistant plastic bonded to said foil on one surface of said foil, said sealing medium being secured to the other surface of said foil, and as a tear strip a plurality of adjacent thin laments of substantially equal length firmly secured between said side pieces at said fold line by said inner sealing medium at the terminal portions of said filaments within the end portions of said fold, said ilaments being substantially untwisted at those lregions where they are secured by said sealing medium and extending across said space and being free of connection to said envelope and to each other intermediate said secured regions and parallel and uncrossed at said secured regions, said iilaments being suiiicient' in number and strength so that they will sever said packaging material when forced thereagainst in a tearing direction.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,155,740 Lacroix et al. Oct. 5, 1915 1,983,875 Prindle Dec. 11, 1934 2,102,858 Schlumbohrn Dec. 2l, 1937 2,293,952 Stroop Aug. 25, 1942 2,535,537 Heywood Dec. 26, 1950 2,870,953 Parker et al. Jan. 27, 1959 2,902,396 Reynolds s Sept. 1, 1959 

